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Find Meeting Space at the Library

Published January 6, 2012

Meeting space is often hard to find in the Springfield area for small and large groups. So don’t forget the library branches as a potential site for club meeting or staff training as we head into the new year.

Many civic groups and hobby clubs meet regularly at the branches; large companies and small businesses often reserve space for workshops or retreats, finding them a comfortable place to get away from the office.

There’s no charge for reserving the rooms, and several branches have food and beverage service through adjoining cafes. If meals are served, the $20 advance cleanup fee is waived if you order through the Mudhouse at the Library Center, Panera Bread at the Library Station and Fog City Coffee at the Midtown Carnegie Branch. (The Park Central Branch doesn’t have a meeting room, but groups can meet next door at The Coffee Ethic.)

Groups can reserve equipment, also at no charge, when scheduling rooms. The amount of equipment varies by branch, but most offer overhead, opaque and slide projectors and screens; TVs with DVD/VCR capabilities; chairs, tables, microphone and sound system; and coffee pot. A limited number of laptops is available for sessions at the Library Center and Library Station.

If you’re interested in knowing more or to reserve a room, call any library branch. Meeting room policies are available in brochures at any branch, or by visiting thelibrary.org/about/meetroom.cfm.
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The Jan. 8 Sunday Concert Series at 2 p.m. at the Library Center auditorium features Randy Buckner in “Thumbpicking: An Afternoon with Travis, Atkins & Reed.” The concert is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Randy is a fingerstyle guitarist who plays in the style of Merle Travis, Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed. He placed second in the 2010 National Thumbpicking Contest in Mountain View, Ark.
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If you got a new e-reader for Christmas, you’re not alone if you need a little help learning how to download library e-books and more. Get tips with others at either of the next two e-reader sessions on Tuesday, (JAN. 10).

The first one is at noon Tuesday at the Brentwood Branch Library. It will be repeated at 6 p.m. the same day in meeting room A at the Library Center.

Kathleen O’Dell is community relations director for the Springfield-Greene County Library District. She can be reached at kathleeno@thelibrary.org.